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Friday, September 10, 2004

Only joking. They liked it, liked us, but I don't think they'll go for it - partly because of several large plotholes that we didn't realise were there until they innocently asked questions, partly because it would require such a massive budget they wouldn't get any return on it. But it was good fun, and good practice, so that's cool.

Went to a free Shaun of the Dead screening last night (they gave us tickets at the Creep preview at the FrightFest), where the director and cast did a live commentary, like a DVD commentary, but instead of it merely seeming like they're in the room with you, they actually are in the room with you. It was fucking hilarious. Pegg, Frost, Wright - you are The Man. Er, The Men. Or something.

Today is the scifi action pitch. Me and Pat are meeting up beforehand to practice and go over what we're going to say. It should be a laugh, because we know them, and they know us, so it's all cool. They're the same company that are doing P45, so we're in safe hands, even if they laugh at us and tell us never to come back again.

Friday, September 03, 2004

Well well well, things are moving along nicely. Directors are pitching for P45, will hopefully find out soon if anyone is chosen. There is a crucial piece of information about all this that I'm dying to spill, but I'm not allowed to say. Nothing's decided yet, but I know about one of the directors who is up for it (not personally), and I know he wants to do it. I'd love him to do it. I can say no more. I will be shot. 2007 Update:I can say now - it was Chris Smith. Ha, you can't shoot me now, cause everyone knows...

John the producer is still trying to set up the book adaptation. Nothing for me to do at the moment, though we may meet next week to see how things are going.

We'll hear in another week whether our pitch was successful (for the big scifi action thingy). In the meantime, we're going to pitch it to another company, to see what happens. No harm in showing it to more than one, it's not exclusively tied to anyone at the moment. So we're going in next Friday to do that pitch.

Next Wednesday I'm meeting a nice BBC man about the spooky TV series thing. It looks like it might work better as a one or two parter instead of a series, so we're going to talk about that. I've also got another spooky series thing he might be interested in, so I'll throw that at him when we meet.

And finally, one of the outlines I've been working on, an animation comedy adventure thing, is now ready for public viewing. I finished it off today, and my agent sent it off to several animation bigwigs. He likes it very much, and so do I, I think it could be really funny.

So everything seems to be kicking off. My masterplan is slowly moving into position, ready for action. If I can pull it off, then I will have made my lifelong dream come true. I might not know for a few months, but it's everything I've been working towards this whole time - not one particular project, but a combination of things that will let me do something I've always wanted to do. I'm not saying it here, cause if it all goes tits up, I'll be embarrassed. Oh fuck it, live dangerously: if I can sell one or two more things soon, or if they start filming P45 soon, the money should be enough to be able to give up my dayjob and write full time. For about a year. If I sell more stuff in that year, then I can keep writing full time. I'll have more time to write, so it will be more likely that I sell more stuff. If it all goes horribly wrong after that, even if I have to go back to work, I'll still have had a year off. If I don't do it, then I definitely won't have a year off, and I definitely will have to stay at work. So it's worth a try. This is all I've ever wanted, so I have to try for it. I'm terrified, but the figures all add up, thanks to Jo who came up with the plan in the first place - I thought it would take years to get to that stage, but she's more daring and sensible than I am, and pointed out a way of doing it. The other cool thing is, if it worked, then we would both be able to leave our dayjobs (for at least a year, possibly longer), which would rock. I'd be able to write full time, she'd be able to concentrate on her music (piano and singing), and neither of us would have to be bothered with work taking valuable time away. Life's too short not to give it a go. I really, really, really want this to work. Wish me luck... 2007 Update:This didn't happen. Severance didn't start filming until the following year, although we were both able to reduce our work days.

Wednesday, September 01, 2004

Long, long, long weekend of movies at the FrightFest - saw some amazing movies, had a great time. Best movie for me was Switchblade Romance, an incredibly intense, fucked up French horror/slasher, which should do well. The Machinist was superb, as were Old Boy, The Ordeal, and Creep, the new British horror film set in the tube tunnels. Got to meet the producer again (met him before for one of those general meet and greet things), and didn't get a word in edgeways with the director, who talks at about 200mph (2007 Update:This was my first time meeting Chris Smith, I was all set to tell him how much I liked Creep, but didn't manage to get a word in - he immediately started saying how much he loved my script, and talking about what he wanted to do, making it even bigger, etc, and that he really wanted to direct it. He left, and I finally managed to mumble "cheers" to his retreating figure...).

Sadly, didn't get to kidnap Franka Potente and put her in my dungeon (built specially for her), but got to see her and the director at the Q&A after the movie. Oh, and there was a Mexican zombie comedy short film called Another Brick in the Wall, which brought the house down, and I met the director of that, too - well, when I say "met", I mean I saw him and went up and geeky fanboyed at him.

Stayed up late, got up early, had lots of fryups, too many/not enough expensive cocktails, stayed in a fancy schmancy hotel, and saw 16 out of 21 movies over 4 days. It now feels weird not to be in a dark cinema. I think I've lost a part of my mind. Brilliant weekend though, can't wait for next year.